I Saw the TV Glow

I Saw the TV Glow

Teenager Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show — a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack.

  • Released:
  • Runtime: 100 minutes
  • Genre: Drama, Horror
  • Stars: Emma Portner, Justice Smith, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Ian Foreman, Helena Howard, Lindsey Jordan, Danielle Deadwyler, Fred Durst, Conner O'Malley, Amber Benson, Albert Birney, Michael C. Maronna, Danny Tamberelli, Tyler Dean Flores, Elizabeth Scopel, Marlyn Bandiero, Haley Dahl, Phoebe Bridgers, Kris Esfandiari, Lily Rothman
  • Director: Jane Schoenbrun
 Comments
  • MK_Ultra_ - 2 July 2024
    Sorry, this isn't working...
    I came, I watched, until I just lost absolutley all interest and shut it off. Didn't care, didn't get anything out of it. The color palettes were just distracting---maybe to distract from the heavy handed diaglogue and disjointed script. I generally keep an eye on A24, as much as they are important to film independence, they tend lean on on some occasional duds.

    I was bored 30 minutes in. Just a weepy emotional slog with long drawn out scenes...I just thought to myself this isn't why I watch horror. It is tabbed as horror after all. This is pure film dropout school fodder. If it didn't take itself too seriously, it may have had some redeeming qualities. Shut it off with 25 minutes left.

    Hard pass. 3/10.
  • marcharrison10 - 26 June 2024
    Bore fest
    This has a rating of 6/10 when writing . Really don't know why , maybe the nostalgia side of it but I and my partner thought it was terrible , it's pretty boring through out and the end wants you to come up with your own conclusion . The characters are pretty unlikeable and the story line isn't very good and not scary at all . I really wouldn't bother watching it at all. Actually can't even come up with 600 words to tell you how bad it is but my tv definitely didn't glow, I should have turned it off. Some of the soundtrack was ok I guess is the best thing I could say about this film . Watch paint dry instead.
  • thrubbit - 20 June 2024
    I truly think not everyone can understand this film but I love it.
    There were people laughing in my theaters whilst me and a few others were in tears.

    I love the art of this film and the messaging is even more important, It wasn't what I had expected from the trailer, but I really did love it.

    Some of the scenes become uncomfortably real and I loved the pacing of the dialogue, it's weird but purposefully weird, the story and the way it unfolds feels super unique and the allegory doesn't go unnoticed in that, it's really well done.

    I wasn't sure how to feel about the ending at first but it does make perfect sense for the film and its meaning, there truly is still time.
  • sweetcypress777 - 19 June 2024
    Chilling and accurate
    Any kid who has experience the slow suffocation and isolation of having your identity erased by suburban expectations, of being unseen, especially under threat of violence and retribution this movie will be eye opening and heavy.

    It seems slow, but that gives you an opportunity to appreciate the staging and all the interesting things in the background like the signs in the school hallway. I'm watching it for the third time in 24 hours just to absorb it.

    Ignore the low ratings. This movie is 33 in the top 44 and climbing. Word about it is getting out and people want to see it for a reason.

    Fred Durst is perfect and chilling and Justice Smith is sublime. Bridgette Lundy-Paine is also fantastic and the soundtrack Carrie's the surreal movie perfectly.

    Excellent job by writer and direct Jane Schoenberg!
  • SoumikBanerjee1996 - 17 June 2024
    Great ideas but they are not fleshed out!
    I like the versatility of the writing here, as it allows for multiple interpretations. It can be seen as a reflection of depression, childhood isolation, or even as a call for self-exploration, introspection. It can also be viewed as allegorical take on our tendency to hold onto nostalgia and the things that shaped our childhood and teenage years.

    Having said that, inspite of having such compelling ideas, none of them realized their full potential, mostly due to the absurdly short duration of the film, it lasted around 90 minutes. The visuals were striking, and all the technical aspects were well-executed, thanks in part to the notable performances of the two leads as well. I have no complaint to make in those regards.

    I feel, It is the narrative that would have benefited from more time to establish these concepts in a tangible manner. Perhaps, delving deeper into the psyches of the protagonists could have precipitated a more fitting outcome!